Re the merrimekko, I never had any. It was way too expensive back when I was in college. I'd read that it was making a comeback, but never saw any. Shame you had such poor quality when you got it. I'd have called the company and complained vehemently (which is a euphemism for how I'd really phrase it).
Thanks for all your explanations.
I, too, would like to know if any bed linens are still made in the US. I actually did some research on this about 10 years ago, was told then that it's all done overseas but I've always wondered if I missed any mills here.